20 replies to this topic

[my_first_mini]

Hi, recently got back in the mini scene and brought myself a 1987 mini city. Collected and drove back for 3 hours, no problems :)

Few days later, driving home in the dark, lights on and after about 15 mins, I lost power and cut out, she wouldn't start or turn over, all I had was a clicking sound when attempting to start. I bump started and managed to get her home. All last week I drove to work, starting the car in the cold and wet without any problems.

Last night on my way home, cut out and lost power again, managed to bump start and lost power straight away.

I have never had a red battery light on my dash, which seems odd as all the other lighting works...

Any help would be great.

Andy

[gazza82]

You should have a red ignition light with ignition on but not running ..

Edited by gazza82, 12 January 2016 - 03:08 PM.

[minidaves]

no battery lamp equals no charging, couple be wiring bulb or alternator

[my_first_mini]

I have never had the red light on, I have owned the car for three weeks now

[Daniel_moody25]

I have never had the red light on, I have owned the car for three weeks now

yes but does the light come on when you turn the key to ignition but without starting the car. if not then the light may not be working and therefore you can look at the alternator  

[dklawson]

I have never had the red light on, I have owned the car for three weeks now

 

As others suggested to you above, the red warning light is more than just an indicator.  It is an important part of the charging circuit that must work for the alternator to work consistently.  Suffice it to say that current flowing through the warning lamp helps energize the alternator so it starts making electricity when the engine is started.  Without the bulb alternators typically don't work. 

 

There are the occasional alternators that will start charging the battery (without the warning light) if the engine is revved high enough.  However, those are the exceptions, not the rule.  It is also worth noting that if you are driving without using items that draw a lot of current (headlights, etc.) then you can go for days running on the battery alone without the alternator working.  

 

I suggest you replace the warning lamp on the dash, charge the battery, and post back with your findings.  If the warning lamp does not work after replacement, have the alternator bench tested at a shop.  They typically will do this for free in anticipation you will buy a new part from their store.  If the replacing the bulb gives you a functional warning lamp, you may not have any problems going forward.

[my_first_mini]

Thanks for the feedback, will pull the dials out and check/replace the bulb. Will return with the outcome :)

[KernowCooper]

Before you pull the dash out, remove the alternator plug and the small wire is the warning light wire to the red ignition light, switch the ignition on and place a jump wire into the small wire on the plug and earth it out to the engine block

If the light comes on the diode pack in the alternator has blown
If the light does not come on the bulb is blown or there is no 12v ignition feed to the bulb, or there is a break in the wiring

DON'T TOUCH THE LARGE BROWNS AS THAT WOULD BE A DEAD SHORT

Depending on the type of alternator you may not have 2 large browns and the warning light wire in a plug, they may be on separate terminals

Edited by KernowCooper, 12 January 2016 - 07:40 PM.

[gazza82]

Don't use an LED either .. Use a normal bulb if that does prove to be faulty ... Or missing!

[Spider]

Don't use an LED either .. Use a normal bulb if that does prove to be faulty ... Or missing!

 

I run LEDs on a couple of the cars, but to get around this problem, I have them shunted with a resistor.

[dklawson]

I run LEDs on a couple of the cars, but to get around this problem, I have them shunted with a resistor.

 

I have done that also.  However, let's not complicate the situation the OP is dealing with.  

 

Stay with the incandescent bulb for now. 

[my_first_mini]

Am I looking at the lower left hand side of the alternator?

Before you pull the dash out, remove the alternator plug and the small wire is the warning light wire to the red ignition light, switch the ignition on and place a jump wire into the small wire on the plug and earth it out to the engine block

If the light comes on the diode pack in the alternator has blown
If the light does not come on the bulb is blown or there is no 12v ignition feed to the bulb, or there is a break in the wiring

DON'T TOUCH THE LARGE BROWNS AS THAT WOULD BE A DEAD SHORT

Depending on the type of alternator you may not have 2 large browns and the warning light wire in a plug, they may be on separate terminals

[tiger99]

Don't know where it will be on your alternator, as they vary, but there is always one thin wire and one or two much thicker brown wires, It is the thin one that you need to jumper to earth to check that the warning light works.

 

On the classic Lucas alternator, there is a 3 pin plug, with springy wire locking clip, on the "back" of the alternator ("front" is pulley end). The thin wire in that plug is the one. So it is indeed on the left as you look at it.

Edited by tiger99, 24 January 2016 - 08:12 PM.

[KernowCooper]

The small wire in accordance with BS-AU7 wiring colours will be Brown/yellow, shorting this to earth when removed will test the ignition warning light circuit out.

[my_first_mini]

👍 I have the battery on charge now waiting to test :)

The small wire in accordance with BS-AU7 wiring colours will be Brown/yellow, shorting this to earth when removed will test the ignition warning light circuit out.